Objective_To investigate the potential effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells ( MSCs) on repai-ring the colon epithelial cell,and on the treatment of rats with ulcerative colitis ( UC) .Methods_Monocytes were purified from bone marrow, amplified and identified as MSCs in vitro.Thirty female Wistar rats were randomly di-vided into 3 groups, the normal control, model and MSCs groups (10 rats/group).The rats in model and MSCs groups were induced colitis with trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid;The rats in normal control group and model groups were injected with 1mL saline via tail vein, while those in MSCs group with 1 mL MSCs suspension.After two weeks, colon tissue samples were analyzed for histopathology,and the colon tissues were made into serial section for determining the distribution of Y chromosome and CK20 double positive cells,analyzing the mRNA levels of CK20,NF-κB, IL-4 by RT-PCR,and assaying colonic NF-κB protein expression with Westen blot,detecting colon tissues IL-4 content with ELISA.Results_Y chromosome and CK20 double positive cells were found in MSCs transplanted colon tissues.The expression of CK20 increased in the colon tissues of UC rats(P<0.01) and in MSCs group in-creased as compared with model group( P<0.01) .The expression of NF-κB increased in the colon tissues of UC rats (P<0.01), but decreased MSCs group as compared with model group (P<0.01).The expression of IL-4 was decreased in the colon tissues of UC rats ( P<0.01) , while in MSCs group it was increased as compared with model group ( P<0.01) .Conclusions_MSCs may have therapeutic efficacy on colitis in rats through differentiating into colon epithelial cells.

Objective To validate the analytical performance of three Cys C reagents with particle-enhanced turbidimetric immunoassay(PETIA) method used on the automatic biochemistry analyzer for preliminary clinical application.Methods The performance of three Cys C reagents (labeled as A, B, C) with PETIA method from Shanghai Jing Yuan Co., Beijing Leadman Co. and Beijing Jiuqiang Co. on OlympusAU2700 automatic biochemistry analyzer were assessed.According to the standard of CLSI EP6-A, EP15-A and EP7-P, the precision, linearity range, disturbance (bilirubin, hemoglobin, chyle) were assessed, and compared with those of Cys C reagent based on particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay(PENIA) from Dade Behring Co.. The reference ranges for Cys C in serum of 120 healthy individual were evaluated.Results The within-run CVs of the three reagents (A, B and C) were 3.08%-3.2%, 2.3%-4.15% and 1.38%-1.53% respectively.The total CV in A, B and C were 3.29%-3.44%, 2.65%-5.18% and 1.67%-1.69% respectively, lower than the stated.Limits of quantitative determination (LOQ) of the three reagents were 0.41, 0.23 and 0.07 mg/L, basically meeting the testing requirement.The linearity range was 0.22-7.26 mg/L(r=0.996), 0.20-7.72 mg/L(r=0.999)and 0.20-7.62 mg/L(r=0.997)in the three reagents, which demonstrated a sound linear correlation. For interference tests, no remarkable interference (<±10%) of reagent C was detected when bilirubin≤684 μmol/L, hemoglobin≤9.7 g/L and Chyle turbidity≤6 200 FTU; and no significant interference of reagent B was found when bilirubin≤684 μmol/L, hemoglobin≤6.79 g/L and Chyle turbidity≤6 200 FTU; when bilirubin≤684 μmol/L, hemoglobin≤4.85 g/L and Chyle turbidity≤1 240 FTU reagent A was not interfered significantly. The comparison afte and before the high-speed centrifugation reveals that the average percentage of bias for reagents A, B, C measured Cys C in chylous serum samples of patients was -8.31%, 1.52%, 1.32%, respectively.In method comparison tests, the regression equations of the three reagents compared with Dade Behring PENIA Cys C reagent were as follows:Y=0.787X+0.492 (R2=0.976), Y=1.098X+0.137 (R2=0.982) and Y=1.037X+0.249 (R2=0.996), respectively. Agreement rates of the high Cys C in reagent A, B, C and Dade Behring Cys C reagent were 80% (Kappa=0.615,P=0.000), 100% (Kappa=1.000,P=0.000), 91.2% (Kappa=0.824,P=0.000); While for reference range of preliminary clinical assessment, diagnosis coincidence rate of reagent A increased to 98.8% (Kappa=0.974,P=0.000). Conclusions When used in automatic biochemical analyzer, the three Cys C reagent with PETIA showed high precision,sensitivity, and sound correlation with Dade Behring PENIA reagents.The three reagents are all able to meet clinical test requirements, nevertheless, anti-interference capability were diffierent and the reference range should be further validated.

BACKGROUNDBevacizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, has shown promising activity in recurrent malignant gliomas. We reported the treatment response for the combination of bevacizumab and chemotherapy in a series of six patients with recurrent malignant glioma and investigated the molecular alterations in cancer pathways using the surgical biopsies from these patients.

METHODSStandard therapy with primary resection followed by adjuvant chemoradiotherapy had failed in all patients. Bevacizumab was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Concomitantly, four patients received temozolomide (50 mgxm(-2)xd(-1)), one patient irinotecan (125 mg/m(2) every 2 weeks) and one patient topotecan (1.2 mgxm(-2)xd(-1)). Response to therapy was mainly determined by magnetic resonance imaging. The expression of Ras, phosphorylated mitogen activated protein kinase (p-MAPK), phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR) and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) were semiquantitatively assessed by immunohistochemistry using surgical biopsies before the initial treatment.

RESULTSFive of the six patients had a radiographic response. Three were complete response, and two were partial response. Only one patient had progressive disease. The 6-month progession-free survival (PFS) was 33% and the median PFS was 15 weeks, with a range of 6 to more than 60 weeks. Of the three core pathways analyzed in this study, the Ras/MAPK and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR pathways were more likely to be associated with the treatment response to bevacizumab. In two younger patients (ages < 50) with complete response, simultaneous overexpression of p-MAPK, p-AKT and p-mTOR might be the crucial feature.

CONCLUSIONSBevacizumab in combination with chemotherapeutic agents may be an effective strategy for patients with recurrent malignant glioma. Activated MAPK and AKT might be possible biomarkers for selecting suitable patients for this targeted therapy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Bevacizumab ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Glioma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; mortality ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

To study and analyze on the understanding of ancient physicians' experience about combined acupuncture and medication, the thought of combined acupuncture and medication in ancient Chinese medicine, and the concrete application are analyzed by reorganization of the treatises and literature of ancient physicians. It is found that physicians of past dynasties have the greatest esteem for such academic thought of combined acupuncture and medication as essential quality of physicians, and accumulate rich experience and understanding in the application rules of clinical treatment model of combined acupuncture and medication, and action characteristics of acupuncture and medical herbs, etc. which are worthy to be further studied, so as to better guide clinical practice and scientific researches.
Acupuncture Therapy ; history ; methods ; China ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drug Therapy ; history ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression characteristics of the gene of coiled-coil domain-containing protein 70 (Ccdc70) in the mouse testis and its potential role in spermatogenesis.

METHODSUsing expression profile microarray, we screened the mouse testis-specific gene Ccdc70, studied its expression characteristics in the mouse testis by RT-PCR, real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, followed by bioinformatic analysis of the Ccdc70 protein.

RESULTSThe Ccdc70 gene was expressed highly in the testis but lowly in the epididymis of the mice. The Ccdc70 protein was expressed mainly in the spermatocytes and round spermatids of the testis and in the epithelial cells of the epididymis. Bioinformatic analysis showed a structural domain in the Ccdc70 protein, which was highly conserved in mammalian evolution.

CONCLUSIONThe Ccdc70 gene is highly expressed in the mouse testis and mainly in the spermatocytes, round spermatids, and epididymal epithelial cells, which indicates that it is involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation.

Animals ; Computational Biology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Male ; Mice ; Proteins ; genetics ; Spermatogenesis ; genetics ; Testis ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDDefinitive treatment for heart attack is early reperfusion with either angioplasty or thrombolytic therapy, and the benefit is strictly time-dependent. Patient outcomes are improved with either therapy when initiated as soon as possible. Recognition of heart attack symptoms is logically tied to taking action to receive prompt emergency care. Inadequate knowledge of heart attack symptoms may prolong delay. The purpose of this study was to document knowledge about heart attack symptoms in Beijing residents and to identify the characteristics associated with increased knowledge of heart attack.

METHODSA structured survey was conducted in 18 communities in Beijing from March 1 through June 10 in 2006. Addresses and participants were selected randomly following a stratification. The survey was designed to collect knowledge of heart attack symptoms from sampled adults in each community.

RESULTSA total of 4627 respondents completed the questionnaires correctly, and 50.29% of them were female. Totally 64.15% of the respondents reported chest pain or discomfort (common symptoms) as a symptom of heart attack; 75.38% reported at least one of the following eight symptoms as a symptom of heart attack: back pain, shortness of breath, arm pain or numbness, nausea or vomiting, neck, jaw or shoulder pain, epigastric pain, sweating, weakness (less common symptoms); 20.36% correctly reported four or more heart attack symptoms, only 7.4% knew all the correct heart attack symptoms, and 28.94% knew about reperfusion therapy for heart attack; 31.7% reported to call 120 or 999 while having a heart attack themselves; however 89.6% reported to call 120 or 999 when someone else is suffering from a heart attack. Very old persons and those with health insurance coverage, high education level, high household income, longer living in Beijing and previous experience with heart disease had greater knowledge of heart attack symptoms.

CONCLUSIONSPublic knowledge of common heart attack symptoms as well as less common heart attack symptoms is deficient in Beijing residents. But their knowledge of calling emergency medical services when someone is having a heart attack is relatively adequate. Public health efforts are needed to increase the recognition of the major heart attack symptoms in both the general public and groups at high risk for an acute cardiac event, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged subgroups, including persons with low education level, low household income, and no health insurance coverage.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Health Education ; Humans ; Knowledge ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; Public Health ; Sex Characteristics ; Socioeconomic Factors

Echinococcus granulosus is an important zoonotic parasite globally causing cystic echinococcosis (CE) in humans and animals. In this study, prevalence of CE and variation of cox1 gene sequence were analyzed with isolates E. granulosus collected from different areas in northern Xinjiang, China. The survey showed that 3.5% of sheep and 4.1% of cattle were infected with CE. Fragment of cox1 was amplified from all the positive sheep and cattle samples by PCR. In addition, 26 positive samples across the 4 areas were included. The isolates were all E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) containing 15 haplotypes (Hap1-15), and clustered into 2 genotypes, G1 (90.1%, 91/101) and G3 (9.9%, 10/101). Hap1 was the most common haplotype (48.5%, 49/101). Hap9 were found in humans samples, indicating that sheep and cattle reservoir human CE. It is indicate that E. granulosus may impact on control of CE in livestock and humans in the region.
Animals ; Cattle ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Echinococcosis ; Echinococcus granulosus ; Echinococcus ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Livestock ; Parasites ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Sheep

BACKGROUNDGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant kind of astrocytic tumors and is associated with a poor prognosis. In this retrospective study, we assessed the clinical, radiological, genetic molecular and treatment factors that influence clinical outcomes of patients with GBM.

METHODSA total of 116 patients with GBM who received surgery and radiation between January 2006 and December 2007 were included in this study. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analysis were used to find the factors independently influencing patients' progression free survival (PFS) time and overall survival (OS) time.

RESULTSAge, preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score, KPS score change at 2 weeks after operation, neurological deficit symptoms, tumor resection extent, maximal tumor diameter, involvement of eloquent cortex or deep structure, involvement of brain lobe, Ki-67 expression level and adjuvant chemotherapy were statistically significant factors (P < 0.05) for both PFS and OS in the univariate analysis. Cox proportional hazards modeling revealed that age or= 80, KPS score change after operation >or= 0, involvement of single frontal lobe, non-eloquent area or deep structure involvement, low Ki-67 expression and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent favorable factors (P < 0.05) for patients' clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONSAge at diagnosis, preoperative KPS score, KPS score change at 2 weeks postoperation, involvement of brain lobe, involvement of eloquent cortex or deep structure, Ki-67 expression level and adjuvant chemotherapy correlate significantly with the prognosis of patients with GBM.

Female ; Glioblastoma ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; surgery ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies

AIMTo investigate the chemical constituents of the Tibetan herbal medicine Halenia elliptica by guidance of in vivo absorption and distribution of the constituents.

METHODSHPLC with a diode array detector (DAD) and HPLC-MS were used for detecting the constituents of extracts of Halenia elliptica and animal samples. Several kinds of column chromatography were used for the isolation and purification of the main in vivo absorbed and distributed compounds from the extract of Halenia elliptica.

RESULTSSix main components detected in the extracts of the animal samples were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Halenia elliptica.

CONCLUSIONAfter rats were treated with different extracts of Halenia elliplica, low polar components xanthone aglycon of Halenia elliptica were clearly observed in the extracts of liver, lipid, blood, hidney, heart and brain tissue of rats, while the polar components xanthone glycosides were detected in very small amounts in the animal samples. The xanthone glycosides can be decomposed into xanthone aglycons during the digestion, absorption and metabolism procedure. Therefore, the in vivo activity of the xanthone glycosides might be exhibited by their decomposed products. It is an accessibly valuable method to investigate chemical components of herbal medicines under the guidance by detecting in vivo absorption and distribution of chemical components of the herbal medicine extract.

Absorption ; Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Gentianaceae ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tissue Distribution ; Xanthones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between polymorphisms of natural resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (NRAMP1) gene and genetic susceptibility of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in workers exposed to silica dusts.

METHODSA 1:2 case control study of 61 male workers with PTB (50 silicosis patients and 11 unsilicosis workers) as the case group and 122 male PTB-free workers (100 silicosis patients and 22 unsilicosis workers) as the control group was conducted with the frequency matched for age of +/- 5 years, the job, the silica exposure, and the condition of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking. The polymerase chain reaction-restrained fragment length polymorphism technique (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of NRAMP1 INT4 and D543N.

RESULTSThere was a 2.73 times (95% CI: 1.32 approximately 5.64) increased risk of silicosis for individuals with C allele of NRAMP1 INT4 compared with individuals carrying homozygote (G/G), while SNPs of NRAMP1 D543N was not associated with PTB (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe G > C mutation of intron 4 of NRAMP1 gene might be a susceptible factor of silica for the workers exposed to PTB.

Aged ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Silicosis ; complications ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; complications ; genetics